Audit of the patient-carried antenatal card, South Africa

Background: In South Africa, an antenatal care card is carried by all women to appointments. This cards allows health professionals to document medical and obstetric characteristics so that important medical information can be transferred. Aims: To audit completeness and management of the antenatal care cards against maternity guidelines. Methods: A retrospective study in which 300 cards were audited in September 2015. Information audited included clinical factors, education, ultrasound, results, referral, and treatment. A composite assessment with a score of between 0 and 100% of certain aspects was made. Findings: No cards were complete. Birthweight was often recorded as ‘big or ‘average’, rather than the exact weight. ‘Planned’ pregnancy was noted in 1 card, and obstetric history was complete in 60.5% cases. Overall, 14 (8.9%) of the 157 ultrasounds were in the first trimester. Education in pregnancy was poorly documented. Clinical examination was recorded in 95% of cards. Conclusions: The card was found to be incomplete in ways that may affect maternal and fetal outcomes